Which place is cheaper, Cozumel or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Cozumel?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Cozumel can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montego Bay or Cozumel?
Montego Bay
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Cozumel $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Cozumel is $118. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Montego Bay and Cozumel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Cozumel $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Cozumel $140
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Cozumel
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Cozumel? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Montego Bay Hotel Prices and Cozumel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Cozumel $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Private Airport OneWay Transfer to Hotel in Montego Bay : $300
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $245
- Private Transfer to Island Gully Falls: $240
- Black River and YS Falls Adventure with Transfer: $235
- Private Transfer to Kingston: $215
- Kingston Airport Transfer (Montego bay,Negril,Ocho rio): $214
- Negril Hotels / Resort - Airport Transfers: $213
- Iberostar Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $200
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $195
- Jewel Resort Transfer: $192
- Luxury Suburban Private Airport Transfer with Chauffeur : $192
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $30
- Cozumel to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM)Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer from Cozumel hotels to Cozumel Cruise Port: $44
- Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport CZM Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Island hotels to Cozumel Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Island Transfers: $70
- Wild Jade Cavern Private ATV Tour With Transfer: $86
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel Island Hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Cozumel?
Prices for flights to both Cozumel and Montego Bay change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMontego Bay $84Cozumel $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Private Transportation to DINNER or NIGHT CLUBS: $55
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay : $81
- Night cruise and swim the Falmouth Mystic Lagoon, Dinner and Rum Punch Inclusive: $85
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- Private Sea-Food Tour & Floyds Pelican Bar from Montego Bay or ..: $185
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Mayan Cooking Class in Cozumel: $61
- Cozumel Food Tour: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Cozumel $44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.74
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$44
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- ATV Adventure to Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe: $220
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, and Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $173
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Pelican Bar Customize Tour: $120
- Bioluminescence Lagoon tour from Montego Bay with Pick Up: $105
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
- Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
- Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
- Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
- Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
- Jetski Experience: $245
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
- 1 Hour and Half Private Tropical Fitness Experience in Cozumel: $6.03
- Cozumel!! Guacamole And Margarita Fiesta!!! ( Virtual Experience): $12
- Skip the Line: Admission Ticket to El Cedral Town and Mayan Temple: $16
- 2 Hour Discover Mermaid Experience : $20
- Cozumel El Cielo 3x1 Reefs Tour: $29
- Clear Boat & Snorkel Cozumel Tour with Drinks: $37
- Amazing Cozumel Buggy Adventure with Snorkeling Tequila and More: $39
- Cozumel Buggy Adventure: Snorkeling and Tequila Tasting: $40
- Off Road Adventure with ATVs and El Cedral Ruins: $40
- Cozumel Beach Horseback Riding Tour: $40
- VIP Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkeling 3 Reefs Tour: $40
- Guided Day Tour in Cozumel on a Clear Boat and Electric Scooter: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Cozumel $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Cozumel, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Cozumel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Cozumel is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cozumel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cozumel and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay than you might in Cozumel.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Cozumel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Cozumel?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Cozumel. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Cozumel, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.